The opening Group 1 of The Championships Day 2 was a triumph for the favourites, as the Chris Waller-trained Kiwi expat Ohope Wins justified the heavy market support to secure the 2026 Australian Oaks at Royal Randwick.

Ohope Wins completed the Trans-Tasman NZ Oaks / ATC Oaks double. Photo: Bradley Photos.

Already a Group 1 winner across the ditch in the NZ Oaks, the talented daughter of Ocean Park secured her first Australian win in Saturday’s Group 1 $1 million Australian Oaks (2400m).

In doing so, she became a rare winner of the prestigious Trans-Tasman Oaks double.

Partnered by champion hoop James McDonald, the three-year-old relished the return to the 2400m journey.

The victory followed a luckless Australian debut where she finished a close fourth in the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on Slipper Day.

“It didn’t go well last start (4th in the Vinery), Rosehill, slowly run race,” McDonald said after the ATC Oaks triumph.

“She’s gritty, she’s a very gritty filly.”

The win handed master trainer Waller his fifth success in the classic since 2012.

Ohope Wins ($2.60F) proved to be the superior stayer over the mile-and-a-half, fending off the challenge of last week’s Adrian Knox winner Profoundly by 0.42 lengths, with the consistent After Summer filling the trifecta.

“I can’t take all the credit, obviously I’ve been trusted by Yulong,” Waller told Sky Thoroughbred Central regarding the acquisition of the former New Zealander.

“(Her former trainer) Lance O’Sullivan did a great job with her prior to coming to me plus they gave me a hand with her as well.

“Very friendly and very helpful which we’ve got to thank them for.”

McDonald produced a tactical masterpiece, settling the filly third-last as a genuine tempo was set up front.

While the Michael Freedman-trained Profoundly looked the winner when she hit the lead at the top of the straight, Ohope Wins launched a relentless pursuit down the outside.

She loomed up at the furlong mark and asserted her dominance 50m from the line to claim her second elite-level trophy.

“They ran it really quickly, so it suited her down to the ground,” McDonald added.

“Obviously on paper it didn’t look that way, but I always had a plan to ride her quiet.

“I was blessed when the pace went on and it never stopped so it was going to be the toughest stayer and that’s exactly what she was.

“She had enough on the line, the other two were brave, and it was lucky we were on a good horse.”

The Dominic Sutton-trained After Summer was again incredibly brave, securing her second Oaks placing of the season after finishing third in the VRC Oaks last November.

“Very proud of her. She ran as good as she could. To go down by that margin, was very happy with her,” jockey Billy Egan said.

Sutton also tasted success further back, with Classic Gem performing admirably on the backup to finish fourth.

2026 Australian Oaks Results

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au

This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team.